Hemsedal Mixed climbing with a danish man and his mustache!

Gustav is a danish man with a moustache and no hair who realy likes climbing and dairy products- hence why he lives in Norway.

Tricky conditions so we headed to Hemsedal, which seems to hold on to the cold temperature for longer. We chose to go for one of the classic mixed routes on Skurvefjell,  Gustav said it would go even with the unconsolidated snow covering, i was a little less conviced but decided to keep an open mind to what climbers here describe as "in condition."

The poor van drove us as close as was sensible and then a bit further before the three of us slept in the back and awoke at 6am to walk in in the dark.

The approach relay atmospheric. The glow in the background is actually the ski centre.

Gustav lead an alternative line on the last pitch with I though must have been bloody tricky!

Calum topping out.

here is a little video Calum made.

Early Start for ski touring in the valley

December has brought a mixed bag of weather overall. The start of the month remained relatively cold with the snow cover staying around long enough for a few ski touring excursions in the local Sogndal Valley.  As most of my time is having to be spent in the Library right now its being harder to fit in days out. On this particular trip I picked up Sofie at 7am for a sunrise ski-her idea.

ridiculous moment worth mentioning: whilst Sofie got changed in the back an old Norwegian man failed to check his mirrors and revered his 4x4 into the Van. luckily no damage......

so worth the early start...

looking back down the valley towards Sogndal.

Me looking like i know what Im doing... you can just about see the Hurrungane on the horizon.

looking back from the summit.

On the way down a quickly realised that Sofie (being Norwegian) had totally overestimated my sking ability and I embarrassing had to keep my skins on for the steeper parts of the decent! 

I was back in the Libary by 1pm and felling rather proud of our morning outing :)